Working groups

As issues arise which require a coordinated approach from the sector to resolve, the RCA Forum establishes a working group. These working groups seek to complete their task as expeditiously as possible, but continue as long as the issues require attention. Membership normally comprises representatives of local authority members and New Zealand Transport Agency members as appropriate. Some issues, such as the spillage of stock effluent onto roads from trucks or the demands on footpaths, involve organisations outside of the Forum membership, as such wider-sector cooperation is essential to achieving successful outcomes.

Similarly, new issues and sector challenges are constantly arising. Providing for cycling and active transport modes has become an important issue for members and a working group has been established to ensure that a coordinated approach identifies best practice. The increasing demands being placed on footpaths by an expanding range of modes prompted a new working group to be established to address this issue in 2016. The challenges facing many rural members are being recognised, too, with a new group being established to investigate funding the accelerated pavement consumption of low volume roads from unplanned heavy vehicle traffic.

Membership of working groups turns over regularly and new volunteers are always welcome to ensure that the membership is fully represented. Where members have a particular interest in any issue, they should make this known, so that they can be given an opportunity to become involved in a working group or reference group on that issue if the need arises. Contact us.

Current working groups and members

The Research and Guidelines Steering Group comprises: Jim Paterson (Western Bay of Plenty), Warren Furner (Ruapehu), Fiona Vessey (Matamata-Piako) and representatives of the working groups – Jamie Cox (Wairoa), convener of the special interest group on low volume roads), Gerry Dance (NZTA) and Wayne Newman (co-conveners of the active modes infrastructure group), Brett North (Wellington), the RCA Forum representative on the board of NZUAG, and Bruce Conaghan (Christchurch), convener of the road-rail issues working group.